The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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66 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2020 COMMITMENT PROFILE W h e n C a l e b H o u s t a n pledged to Michigan Oct. 30, there was no huge production or "look at me" moment — just an announce- ment via Tipton Edits on Twitter that he'd committed to head coach Juwan Howard and the Wolverines. In short, it was extremely refreshing. It was also plenty enough to capture the attention of the col- lege basketball universe. How- ard had added the gem to his already outstanding recruiting class, serving notice that U-M's second-year head coach was se- rious when he said he wanted to build on former coach John Beilein's outstanding success. The five-star Canadian transplant, now starring at Montverde (Fla.) Academy, is the latest evidence of Howard's recruiting prowess. Several analysts praised him as both a player and a person, one of the reasons Howard and his staff liked him so much. "He is mature beyond his years," former Rivals.com national recruit- ing analyst Corey Evans, one of the most respected in the business, told The Wolverine shortly before leaving for an NBA job. "Caleb is the ideal wing-forward that brings a high- level basketball IQ to the floor. He's fundamentally sound, first known and respected for his shooting — he is elite in that capacity — but he has the abilities to be more than that." His ball skills have improved tre- mendously, Evans noted, adding he was a plus-defender as well, able to slide his feet on the defensive end to stay in front of defenders with his 6-8, 200-pound frame. As a teammate, Evans continued, they don't come better. Houstan played a key role on Montverde's un- defeated squad that ended last year ranked first nationally by ESPN and was deemed by some as the greatest high school basketball team ever. "He has already shown that he can play to his role for his team's bet- terment, which he did last year for the top-ranked Montverde Academy squad," Evans said. In that respect, he's a lot like his fu- ture head coach. Howard wasn't look- ing to be the big fish in a small pond when he was the first to commit to Michigan in 1991 out of Chicago Vo- cational. He wanted to play, of course, but he also wanted to win, and he took it upon himself to start recruit- ing the best of the best to join him. He helped land Chris Webber and Jalen Rose, and the Fab Five was born. Though Michigan's entire coaching staff played a part in Houstan's re- cruitment, Howard was out front and persistent. That played as big a part as any in helping him make up ground on schools like Duke and Virginia. "I think it was that he just really led my recruitment, was always on the phone with me," Houstan said when asked what pushed U-M over the top. "We talked a lot, and it wasn't really just about basketball. We talked about life, and we really connected in terms of that. "In general, I could tell the whole staff was very invested in me as a per- son and a player, but I had a great re- lationship with [Howard]. We would probably talk three times a week." It didn't hurt, either, that Houstan's roommate last year was also a fu- ture Wolverine. Freshman Zeb Jack- son, a bench player at Montverde in 2019-20, and Houstan got along great, and Jackson had nothing but praise for his future coach. He never pressured Houstan, though, similar to the U-M coaches' approach. But he didn't have to. Howard did a great job selling the university and the recruits coming in, and Houstan found his perfect fit. While the nation's No. 3 small forward and No. 11 overall prospect per Rivals wasn't able to visit before pledging, due to COVID-19, Houstan was familiar with Michigan basketball and its success when fellow Cana- dian Nik Stauskas — also a Mississauga, Ontario, native — was winning champion- ships and Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 2013-14. "That's when I watched them the most, because of that and because I went to camp there [at Michigan] when I was younger," Houstan said. "Seeing the facilities and ev- erything, being amazed at how nice a campus it was — they were just really good as a program. "Then, last year, I watched them a good amount because of Zeb. I just liked the way they played with Isa- iah [Livers] and Franz [Wagner]. I felt I'd definitely fit in that system." Howard and staff told him he'd have an opportunity to play right away, and he was sold. The Wolverines need shooters, and Houstan might be the best in the country. He was the second-leading scorer at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championships playing for Team Canada, averaging 22.8 points in 29 minutes per game. He was among the tournament leaders in three-pointers made and free throw attempts. Houstan has one more year of ball at Montverde, a program known for developing elite talent, and he's in- tent on making the most of it. He'll then switch gears with high expecta- tions, an elite talent who checks all the boxes of what Howard is looking for — just the way Howard checked his. "Juwan, him as a person, probably being able to relate with him [is what sold me]," Houstan said. "I could tell he was being totally transparent with us, and the vibe we got from him and his staff; they are really good people. Between that and the basketball part, it just fit me." — Chris Balas Houstan helped Montverde (Fla.) Academy — where he teamed up with U-M freshman Zeb Jackson — go undefeated and finish last year ranked No. 1 nationally. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM 2021 Forward Caleb Houstan Is A Five-Star Fit With Michigan